In April there was an all-time high of 745 fines for drivers incorrectly using yellow box junctions at the Bute Terrace, Bute Street and Hayes Bridge Road intersection and the David Street, Bridge Street and Charles Street junction.

Fines issued by the council’s camera car – designed to catch drivers using zig-zag lines incorrectly – remained steady in the 300 mark in each month.

'Disappointing'

The highest grossing camera was on Custom House Street. In May, the camera clocked 2,050 drivers. The month before that was 1,829.

The city council’s cabinet member Ramesh Patel said the spike was “disappointing”.

“After a steady decline in the number of tickets issued up until this March this year for the illegal use of bus lanes, it is disappointing that the trend hasn’t continued,” he said.

Fines for blocking yellow boxes have also been issued

“Everyone should now know where the cameras are placed, as the locations have been widely publicised.”

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Coun Patel said that while the council made £10m in the 2015-16 financial year from drivers, half of that was spent on the cost of running the bus fines, parking meters and staffing the service.

'Keep Cardiff moving'

He said schemes which have benefitted from that money include the Cardiff East Park & Ride facility, upgrades to car parks, the city centre mobility assistance scheme, installation of disabled bays and the works required for the implementation of the Moving Traffic Offences Scheme.

Future schemes earmarked for funding include the development of Waungron Road Bus Interchange.

“The scheme has been designed to improve drivers’ behaviour, to free up the bus lanes for public transport and keep Cardiff moving,” Coun Patel added.

“If people didn’t breach the law the council wouldn’t make any income from this enforcement, so the message is simple – don’t break the law and you will not be fined.”